How To: Frida Kahlo inspired Floral Headband

Frida Kahlo floral headband

It’s fun having creative friends, friends that love colour and irreverence and fun. Friends that make art and think it’s awesome when you show up to their exhibition opening night dresses as Frida Kahlo. Maddie had suggested it in passing, “you should come as Frida” and I thought, yes I will, and so will Emma, because the only thing better than one Frida is two Fridas. The exhibition had a Day of the Dead theme (Dia de los Muertos), so we fit right into the riot of colour.
The costumes were easy to put together with clothing and accessories we already had at home, I only had to make the headbands. It didn’t take very long, and Emma enjoyed helping me choose the colours and bend the wires.
If you want to make a floral headband for your own costume or even as a bridal wedding headpiece read on…

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How to: Make cute Knickerbockers

Extend the life of your kid’s pants by turning them into cute Knickerbockers. You only need a few minutes, some knitted rib fabric and this step by step tutorial.

Now that Emma is (sort of) toilet trained and not wearing nappies through the day, lots of her old pants fit her around the waist perfectly, but look ridiculously short!
These old flared cords were a hand me downs, not my favorite, but great for knocking about at creche. Because I can’t get rid of anything till it’s fully worn out, shortening, not lengthening, was the obvious solution.

You will need:
Too short pants
Ribbed knit fabric (slightly elastic)
Scissors
Overlocker (serger) is ideal, but a normal sewing machine is ok too.

Here’s how I did it:

1. Here are the too short pants, make sure you are happy with the fit around the waist and rise or you are wasting your time. Try them on your child and mark length just under the knee.
2. Cut at desired length remember to leave a small seam allowance.
3. Measure around child’s calf just below the knee, this should be approximate length to cut your ribbing. Decide on your width and double as the ribbing is folded in half.  I cut mine 3″ x  8″
4. Fold each piece of ribbing in half lengthways and sew a seam to make a cuff.

5. Fold cuff in half with seam on the inside.
6. Place cuff around bottom of pants leg, position the seam to correspond with the inseam of pants. You may want to pin but careful with the cutting blade if you are using an overlocker (serger).
7. Sew the ribbing cuff onto the pants, you will need to stretch the ribbing gently whilst doing this and maybe even gather the pants fabric slightly. If you are using a normal sewing machine, use a straight stitch then zig zag the exposes edges.
8. All done, repeat on other leg.

This is the technique I use to add cuffs to sleeves when sewing sweatshirts.

Knickerbockers are a great option for spring or autumn, add some tights or stripey socks to complete the look.

Looking for another way to get more life out of those worn out jeans?  See the add Knee Patches to Jeans tutorial

www.mypoppet.com.au

Emma Stylin’ – Retro Rainbow

I made Emma this skirt yesterday from some of the remnants left over from the latest batch of Retro cushions (yes some new designs coming soon). There was no rhyme or reason to the fabric combination, but I think that’s what makes it so special. Emma seems to like it.
Just like most of my sewing projects, this one started with some scraps and remnants. I have a sewing hierarchy: scraps, remnants, small pieces, then as a last resort, yardage. Waste not want not, is my motto when it comes to fabric.
Did you notice Emma’s ‘bandaid’? She had an ‘injury’ and hurt her arm. Because real bandaids are reserved for blood only (yes I’m a hard ass like that), we improvised and I whipped up a sewing room special. I feel a faux first aid tutorial coming on…

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Kids Parties – Charlotte’s Western Hoedown

I couldn’t resist sharing some photos from a super fun Western themed birthday party the family went to a couple of weeks ago. Charlotte, the most adorable little red head I know was turning 3. She loves Jessie from Toy Story (who was there by the way, top left), so her mum Sharon decided to go all out with a Cowgirl theme.
The western theme was carried through to the food which included chilli con carne and nachos, and the party favors, bandanas, sheriff badges and mini cowboy hats filled with treats. The hats are perfect Blythe doll size so Perty is wearing it now.
We love to dress up so I pulled out the old cowboy boots for me. For Emma, a neckerchief, some jeans and a checked shirt and she was the cutest cowpoke in town. She insisted on being a cowboy so the mustache completed the look.
Doesn’t the photo top right look like it should be on a Wanted poster? It’s adorable.

Photo credit: Photography by Michele, Top (all images), bottom (lower right)

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Emma Stylin’ – Stripes Ahoy!

Yes I know I’m half way around the world at the moment, but I just had to share these beautiful photos of Emma modeling her new stripey top. The sunshine in Melbourne last week was just too gorgeous to waste, so I thought a trip to the seaside would fit the nautical attire perfectly.

Emma had been hassling me for weeks about going to the beach, so we headed for Williamstown and had a lovely day in the sun. Even dipped our toes in the water a little bit too, it was cold!

Did I mention I made the top from some fabric remnants, you can read about how I made it here on MADE OF CLOTH.

I’m really pleased at how it turned out. I think I’ll be making more tops for her when I get home, it’s so hard to find a good striped tops for kids without logos or wacky over printing.

Yes those are my toes, I have since painted my toe nails Navy blue…

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Vintage Stylin’

I was sorting through Emma’s wardrobe the other day and rediscovered this beautiful vintage dress that I picked up whilst Op-shopping this past summer. It is hand made from a lovely warm wool with corduroy details. Oh and did I mention it had smocking and was fully lined? Made by a very talented grandmother I imagine… I thought I’d try it on her to check the sizing and it fits beautifully. I’ve had her grow out of so much clothes because I was saving it for and occasion, so today the occasion was a photoshoot, and hopefully it will still fit for her cousin’s Christening in the next month or so. It’s funny, when Emma was born everyone said that I was lucky because she would be the perfect in-house model for all my clothes etc…but ironically the opposite is true. Emma is a terrible model. She will not stay still and much prefers to fiddle with my camera controls than be in front of it. Hopefully she will stop bouncing of the walls as she gets older or I will have to invest in a super fast camera do-dad…

Dress: Vintage
 Leggings: Heavenly Creatures
Pram: Vintage
Backdrop: Floor rug bought on a trip in Turkey and begrudgingly lugged half way around the world by Mr Man

www.mypoppet.com.au

How To: Make a Hooded Scarf from and Old Jumper

Emma has been super obsessed with scarves of late, it’s been a bit chilly in Melbourne, so I thought I’d make her one out of a felted lambswool jumper (sweater) I found at the Op-shop a while ago. It had a hood, so I had a brain wave to incorporate the hood into the scarf to make it even cozier.
It’s a pretty simple project which only requires basic sewing skills. I’ve given some measurements for the hood at the end, just in case you haven’t got a hood on your jumper and want to make your own. The pictures explain everything fairly clearly…Firstly, if your jumper isn’t felted already, just run it through a warm was cycle to mat the wool fibers together and stop the knit from unraveling.
Cut off the sleeves and hood where I’ve indicated on the picture above.

Pictured below are the 3 easy steps.
Lay out your 3 pieces and cut a slit in the sleeves about the size of the hood as indicated.
With right (outside) sides facing together sew seam 1, this will sew the tops of the sleeves together.
Next sew on your hood (seam 2).
Lastly enclose all your seams by hand stitching the opening closed.
Now you have a hooded scarf. The next steps below are optional but I think make the scarf much easier to wear.
Step a. with small zig zag stitches sew around where you will cut your two slits as pictured in step b.
Step c. now you can slide one sleeve into the slits to help keep the scarf/hood on.
This would look cute on a boy or girl. I have tied Pom Poms onto the slits to make Emma’s scarf even prettier.
Below are some measurements to use as a guide for cutting out your own hood if you need to. This would suit a toddler or child, for an adult size just make it a bit bigger.Doesn’t Emma look so adorable in her little hood. The beauty of this style is that it keeps her neck warm and you can just flip the hood back if it’s not required. The slits in the sleeve keep the scarf secure.
This tutorial is for personal use only, enjoy making your own hooded scarf for yourself or as gifts but please do not sell items made from this tutorial. Thanks for understanding.

www.mypoppet.com.au

Sponsor Profile – Scruffy Dog

I know you all love my fabulous sponsor this month, Scruffy Dog Shoes. But did you know they also make a beautiful range of socks and tights?
I was really impressed by the high quality of these samples Leila, from Scruffy Dog, kindly sent me. Even Emma’s Nan commented on how nice, soft and warm they were. I’ve been looking for knee high socks for Emma for a really long time (they are almost impossible to find), so when I opened the parcel I squealed with delight!
And don’t they look amazing on? Emma often wears shorts over a pair of tights, she is not really a skirt kinda girl, so I think wearing a tights/shorts combo makes her look a little less boyish.
I’m amazed I managed to get any decent photos, she won’t stay still at the moment!I really love long socks under pants in winter for a bit of extra warmth, and the elastic on these will keep them up without cutting into the chubbiest of legs. We didn’t get time to model the tights but I can assure you they are great too. The tights are available in 11 plain colours which make them easy to match with any outfit (including school uniforms), and are available in six sizes ranging from 6 months to 10 yrs. I could go on and on because this range is really great, and the price is even more amazing.
The tights are $12.95 a pair and the socks only $4.50 a pair!! Seriously people, $4.50!

If you want a pair or ten, just head over to the Scruffy Dog website and Email Leila with your order (they don’t have an online shop, just personal service).

Oh and while you’re there, check out their awesome range of shoes. If you order directly from them you can receive a really decent discount off the retail price, just tell them My Poppet sent you.

Thanks Scruffy Dog for sponsoring the blog and allowing me to share your fabulous product with all of my readers…

www.mypoppet.com.au

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